BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH

HR-ALLOWANCES-Politika BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 4121HINA Zagreb, 20 September 2001PARLIAMENT WRAPS UP DEBATE ON SOCIAL BILLS PACKAGEZAGREB, Sept 20 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Thursday wrapped up a debate on a package of seven bills aimed at restricting social entitlements. Each bill will be debated separately in the afternoon. MPs of the ruling coalition's five parties pointed to the need of a social reform, saying current entitlements exceeded the country's economic potential. Many MPs advocate introducing more order and fairness in the social care system so that help could go to those really needing it. The Opposition, on the other hand, vehemently objects to the bills, saying restrictions of social entitlements will sink the nation demographically, and that the bills are the result of a stand-by arrangement with the International Monetary Fund. MPs of the ruling coalition countered by saying the reform was the result of the difficult